WHITTIER – Relief will come within a week for those motorists growing tired of sitting in traffic at the intersection of Norwalk and Beverly boulevards, project officials said Friday.

Numerous intersections around Whittier have been clogged recently as the California Domestic Water Co. replaces its antiquated pipes.

Eastbound Beverly Boulevard near the corner of Norwalk Boulevard was reduced to two lanes Friday morning.

On nearby residential streets, residents said they have noticed heavy increases in traffic as drivers seek alternate routes around the construction site.

“The traffic really backs up because the road is closed,” said Herb Williams, a 40-year resident of Carley Avenue off of Beverly Boulevard. “You can’t take a right from my street and it’s impossible to take a left in that traffic.

“But it’s OK. They’re working pretty fast,” he added.

Mike Corcoran, vice president of E.J. Meyers Co., the engineering contractor for California Domestic, said the corner of Beverly and Norwalk boulevards is close to where the new pipes will tie into the existing pipelines.

Once they reach the old pipes, the water can begin to be diverted into the new lines, he said.

“It’s always difficult with these kinds of projects in residential or urban areas, but our infrastructure, all over, needs to be rejuvenated and renewed,” Corcoran said. “It’s difficult but water is one of our most critical infrastructure needs.”

Corcoran said the old pipes will be abandoned but because of their size they would make good corridors for recycled water, gas lines or other similar uses.

The next site for new pipes will be along Mar Vista Street down to Whittier Boulevard.

“California Domestic is one of the oldest \ companies in Whittier,” Corcoran said. “It’s way ahead of the curve in maintaining its facilities. The project is moving right along. It’s within a couple of months of being finished.”